Bear incident teaches us a valuable lesson

June 01, 2012

As a retired Freemansburg police officer, I understand the situation the Easton police were in with the black bear that was roaming the streets of the city recently.

It is in my opinion very sad that they made the decision to shoot and kill the bear. I know they were thinking about public safety when they decided to shoot the bear, but it was out of ignorance of understanding the spring season roaming of the young adult bears that this decision was made.

I would aim the blame at the Pennsylvania Game Commission for not sending a wildlife officer to either respond or call the police officer in charge and explain what to do.

I am sure out of this incident that many police departments will know what to do in the future.